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Twenty in their 20s 2007

Get to know these young achievers

The "young 'un" responsible was Stevens Mason, who, at the tender age of 22, became acting territorial governor in 1834 and was elected in his own right the next year.

Michigan became a state during his administration in 1837. He "retired" from office in 1840, still in his 20s.

You could say he was among Detroit's original 20 in their 20s.

To Jeannette Pierce, Mason is an inspiration and the "epitome of young leadership."

Pierce, who is one of this year's class of Crain's 20 in their 20s, chose to have her photo taken near Mason's statue, which is where his remains are buried and which marks the spot of Michigan's first Capitol building.

The statue, in downtown Detroit's Capitol Park, is one place Pierce likes to show off when she conducts tours of Detroit.

"I walk by it on my way to work every day, and it always makes me smile. I just love knowing that in a couple years it will be one of the hottest places in town surrounded by the best condos, lofts and shopping in the city. It makes me think of the motto for the city of Detroit: 'Speramus Meliora ... Resurget Cineribus' — 'We hope for better days ... it will arise from the ashes,' which never fails to remind me how much I love this city," Pierce said.

She and the other 19 members of the 20 in their 20s Class of 2007 are all trying to make a creative difference in the region.

Crain's has a long tradition of recognizing business success in our annual "40 under 40" feature, and we'll continue that tradition on Sept. 24.

But with this week's issue, we'll introduce you to 20 other young people you should know. They may not have made their first million dollars, but they are committed to countering the region's "brain drain" while staking their claim — and making their mark — in metro Detroit.

Nearly 200 people were nominated for consideration for this year's 20 in their 20s class. A team of editors and reporters checked references and debated merits of all the candidates before narrowing the list to 20.